The Tiny Seed

The charming tale of The Tiny Seed , by beloved author and illustrator Eric Carle, is now available as a Level 2 Ready-to-Read!

Eric Carle's classic story of the life cycle of a flower is told through the adventures of a tiny seed. Everyone will cheer for the seed's progress as it floats across the sky, nestles in the ground, and finally grows into the giant flower it was always meant to be.

With his dazzling collage illustrations and lively text in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read, Carle has created a triumphant and fascinating tale!

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This children’s story illustrates the unlikelihood of a seed actually sprouting once it’s released from its parent plant. Much like turtles hatching from eggs on the beach, the chances that all of them will get to their destination intact and able to release the next generation are impossible; it’s a wonder of nature that any of them make it at all. Far from being an aid, nature is very much against survival—only the luckiest or hardiest survive.

This deeper lesson lies deceptively under a short tale filled with Eric Carle’s signature colorful collages and simple text, making it an enjoyable story to be read aloud to young children.

REVIEW: It is important to note this is NOT the classic original of The Tiny Seed. This is a slightly revised version that is in a level 2 reader format. One of the things I love about the words in this book is that is does not feel as if they were "dumbed" down to make reading overly simple. It feels more like the reader has to reach up and grow, just like the seed in the story. And this story is rich with meaning. The smallest seed may take longer to accomplish its journey and to grow, but what it becomes is far more magnificent. The book is also a page turner. I couldn't wait to turn the page and to follow the seed to the next step.

AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for grades K-2. It would also be appropriate for grade 3 depending on child's reading level.

I was dismayed when I read this book -- it follows a bunch of seeds, some of which don't make it. Unfortunately, the seeds are personified and so are their fates: one drowns in the water, another dies when it gets stepped on. It actually says "dies" and "drowns".

Some kids will not be bothered by this, but some sensitive little souls may be quite disturbed. I was not quite ready to explain "drowning" to my toddler.